Visit the UK’s leading indoor agricultural event, with eleven packed halls of the very latest in agricultural machinery and equipment. Now at the NEC, Birmingham this is free to attend and free to park.

Left to right: Stranraer and Rhins club members Ailsa McWilliam, David Watson and Ailsa Buchanan (far right) with Johan Gillespie from award sponsor SPEnergy.

View Full Screen

An Avondale SAYFC member has achieved her lifelong ambition after winning the national stockman of the year final. Zoe Bryson, 19, collected the prestigious award after a busy day competing against 150 members in one of the most popular competitions of the SAYFC calendar.

Taking reserve was west region chairman Andrew Ireland, who also won sheep individual and the sheep pairs with Scott Anderson Members kicked off the morning by either judging beef, sheep or dairy breeds before offering two sets of reasons for two of the classes.

Once the top 18 competitors were chosen, members completed an animal husbandry paper before judging two beef classes, two sheep classes and two dairy classes. After giving a set of reasons for each section, they then completed a timed presentation on breed qualities and characteristics.

Ambition

Hailing from a 180-head dairy farm near Strathaven, Lanarkshire, Zoe has been stockjudging from an early age and accompanied her parents to learn the skills required. For the last four years she has entered the national stockjudging final and, from March to June, has travelled to farms up and down the country to learn about various beef, sheep and dairy breeds and how to give a set of reasons and stock demonstration.

Zoe, who is studying agricultural science at Scotland’s Rural College and works as a technician for Genus, says: “Winning stockman of the year has been a lifelong ambition of mine and was something I thought I could only dream of achieving. “After a nerve-racking but enjoyable day I was in complete shock and disbelief I had won.

It took a while to sink in, but I am absolutely over the moon to have this title to my name, especially as I am only the third, and the youngest, female to have won.

Inspired

“I owe a huge thank you to all my stockjudging trainers over the years who have taught me, motivated me and inspired me, as well as the rest of the Lanarkshire team who have been extremely supportive right from the word go, and to my dad for kick-starting my passion in stockjudging.”

The competition’s rules state the winner is not eligible to enter the following year. “I am sad to be hanging up my white coat for now, but Saturday was a day I will never forget.”

The Ritchie Trophy, kindly donated by James Watt in memory of the Ritchie Brothers, recognises a significant contribution to the Young Farmers.

Rural Youth Europe Rally

This year, Rural Youth Europe will celebrate its 60th anniversary as part of its annual rally, which will be held in Latvia. The aim of the rally is for young individuals to gain awareness of European diversity, develop increased understanding of the changes in Europe and build partnerships for future cooperation and common rural action.

The Scottish team will comprise of four members, three from the West of Scotland and one from the North. Members will have a chance to promote Scottish produce on one of the evenings at the international buffet.

Suzie Dunn begins her vlogging journey

SAYFC chairman Suzie Dunn is vlogging (video blogging) her way round the country to promote everything the organisation has to offer. The aim is to raise the profile of Young Farmers and add to the 3,670 members the organisation has across the Scottish regions.

As part of her trip, Suzie will shoot video footage at events, interview office bearers and members through the year, and edit the videos into short films. She says: “Having been West regional chairman last year and focusing heavily on the international programme, it shocked me as to how many people never even knew this was available through SAYFC.

“I think you take for granted the information you know about the association when you are on a committee but this information needs to get to grass roots members so they can take full advantage of SAYFC and everything it has to offer.”

Rally

Her next vlog will be recorded at tomorrow’s East region rally (July 1). “One vlog I am looking forward to is when I travel with the rest of team Scotland to Latvia for the European Rally as part of our international programme.”